Wednesday, November 26, 2008

So I finally, finally got around to taking this online dating personality test that I was introduced to some time ago...but never got around to taking. Too bad, as it would have been great conversation fodder for one of those less-than-serious moments. But that's me, always distracted by the more serious issues in life. Ha. Kind of. But not always.

Having no shame, and in the interests of content, I share my results with you - verbatim (disclaimer though: this is hardly an accurate profile. it's funny as hell though):

The Vapor TrailRandom Brutal Love Master (RBLM)

Here today, gone today. You are The Vapor Trail. Are you in a relationship now?

What about now?

Vapor Trails can be highly charismatic people--unpredictable, confident, and magnetic. You're experienced. You know how to handle yourself in a relationship, and many people appreciate that. Many people, all in a row.

You've had your share of blissful beginnings, to be sure. But things almost never turn out how you'd like, do they? The problem is you're never happy with someone for an extended period of time. Relate to the following:

Vapor Trails especially need a girl who will laugh at their jokes. They're also the most likely male type to be haunted by serious regret.

FACT: A few of your exes, the ones you were best to, will always love you. Nice going.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Signs of disorder in a neighborhood can lead to other broken social norms

By Jeanna BrynerSenior Writer, MSNBC

"The mere presence of graffiti doubles the number of people littering and stealing in a neighborhood, new research suggests.

The results, which are detailed in the Nov. 21 issue of the journal Science, support and expand on the so-called broken windows theory, which forms the backbone of many crime prevention programs in major cities such as New York.

The theory suggests that signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti and litter, can open the door to individuals breaking other social norms and rules. In New York's "Quality of Life Campaign," adopted in the mid-1990s, city filth, including graffiti, street litter and signs of vandalism, were removed. And petty crime rates did drop..." FULL STORY

Is you government or law enforcement agency, public works department or citizen's group ready to stop graffiti crime in its tracks? Then we need to speak about Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System.

Blue Archer's Graffiti Tracking System (GTS) is a centralized, web-based application that helps multiple users document instances of graffiti vandalism, manage investigations, track graffiti removal requests and compile actionable intelligence - all through the Internet! With GTS, any authorized user with access to the web can open and manage a case. GTS results in more substantial arrests and prosecutions of taggers, larger restitution payments, and identification of gang migration patterns.

Blue Archer originally developed GTS as a custom application for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, but now the software is available to clients throughout the world.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Though it may not seem so when you first encounter a serious blow, you can never lose two of the most important assets you have. These are the power of your mind and your freedom to use it. Once you have turned them to understanding what laid you low, you can begin forming new plans. You may not have the money you once had; you may lack the allies you had cultivated. But you still have the benefit of a universe that eventually rewards honest effort, as well as gaining the experience of mistakes you will never make again. Remember, no matter where you are now, whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. Protect the most important thing you have.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

"Gemini,Because of this particular Astral position, you are starting a new phase of preparation. This requires great control over your personality and will bring about new well-being in Love. At work, try to be clever about your motivations."

Thursday, November 13, 2008

My Dad was named Joseph John Papp, and he was born on October 21, 1937. He died on May 24, 1989 - the day before my 14th birthday. He'd been sick for some time before he finally succumbed to liver cancer, ... Email me if you want to read more.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

me: Riding for fun, occasionally; played tennis this summer - almost no golf. Went back to graduate school this fall, for an MBA. Have met quite a few interesting people over the past two years, and lucky to become great friends with some them. Striving to have a consistently fun, healthy existence.

Note to the Italians: I haven't gotten fat. Vaffanculo, a chi t'e muerto. haha. Doing well in school (though we are going at full-throttle right now because it's close to exam time and I'm on a compressed schedule); living in Pittsburgh, PA, where I grew up (though in a different part of the region - Shadyside, which is the kind-of yuppie part of town). Still dreaming of tropical breezes and foccacia, though not necessarily at same time.

Future: we'll see. Hopefully done with MBA by late-summer '09, then on to an MPIA in political economy and eventually a career in political risk analysis. Not really interested in racing again, though snowboarding sounds fun.

AABELARDITO.- Studious and arrogant boy.ACHANTADO.- Accommodated, Sluggish.ACHÉ.- Luck, good energy, good star.ACISCADO.- Scared.ADOQUIN.- Obstinate, gross, clumsy.AFINCAR.- To recharge itself with force.AGARRADO.- Avaricious.AGROMERCADO.- Enclosures where products of the field are sold.AHORA.- At this moment.AHORITA.- Soon.AHI NA MA - it’s all here, look no further, this is itAJI.- Garlic.AJUSTADOR.- Intimate article of the woman.ALMENDRON.- Old car ie Chevy, Ford etc Pre RevolutionAMANERADO.- A person without being homosexual is it by gesture.AMAPANGA.- Bad day, nothing works.ÁMBIA. - Friend, known.AMBIENTOSO.- Braggart, troublemakers.ANGUILA.- Slippery.ANTIER.- The day before yesterdayAPEAR.- To be put on the edge, to approach a place.APOSTACIÓN.- Bet.ARDILLA.- Anxious.A REGAÑA DIENTES.- When somebody does something without desire to do it.AREPA.- Lesbian, also says “tortilleras” to them.ARRANCAO.- Person who is without money.ARRASTRADO.- Submissive.ARREBATADO.- Crazy person, lunatic.ASERE.- Friend, “…qué volá asere”

BBABOSO.- Tedious.BACAN.- Good, excellent.BACHECHE.- Good person.BACTERIA.- Shirt of smooth fabric and with many drawings.BAJITO DE SAL.- Homosexual.BALA.- Motorcycle; Cigarette.BALLENA.- Fat person.BALLÚ.- Brothel.BAÑADERA.- Bathtub.BAMBOLLA.- Self-sufficiency, importance.BANQUETA.- Bank without small back.BARCO.- Unreliable person.BARIN.- Excellent.BARO.- Money.BARRETIN.- Problem, mess.BATAHOLA.- Trousers with wide legs of the fashion of the Fifties.BATEO.- Discussion.BATEQUEO.- A refreshment drink made of several things (punch).BAYUSERO.- Relaxed, excited.BEJIGO.- Child (only in the eastern provinces)BEJUCO.- Telephone.BEMBA.- The lips of the mouth.BEMBO- The other lips.BERREAO.- Gotten upset, get angry.BICITAXI.- Bicycle taxi.BICHA.- Bad woman, prostitute.BICHO.- Intelligent, astute.BIFTECK.- Steak, fillet.BILONGO.- Witchcraft.BISNE.- Business.BISNERO.- He makes business with the tourists.BITITE.- Eyes, watched.BLOOMERS.- Panties.BLUMER.- Underclothes for women, panties.BODEGA.- Store where the products to the carriers of the “libreta” are given.BOFE.- Unbearable, impertinente.BOLAO.- A type that is bolao, is a person who is very annoying.BOLETA.- Ticket.BOLLO.- Vagina.BOLO.- Russian.BONCHE.- Ridicule, I relax.BONIATO.- Yam, También se hace dulce y se come como vianda.BONI - without moneyBOTAR.- To throw away, to reject.BOTELLA.- (coger ~) to request a gratuitous trip.BRETE.- To form a scandal with lies.BRODE.- Friend, brother.BRUJA.- Witch.BUGARRÓN.- Bisexual man.BURUJÒN.- Many things, like “un burujón de gente” - many people.BUTIN.- Good.

CCABALLITO.- Police with motorcycle.CABRON.- He knows everything in the street.CACHIMBO.- Pistol.CACHÙ.- Kechup.CAFRE.- He does´nt understand something.CAGUA.- Hat.CAKE.- Pie, cake.CALAÑA.- Bad person.CALDOSA.- Soup with all “viandas”, well-known meat also like ajiaco in the Eastern provinces.CAMAHÁN.- Wise person, who knows how it works in the street. (”camaján”)CAMAO.- Experimented.CAMBALACHE.- Species of exchange, interchange, black illicit business of stock-market.CAMBOLO.- Great stone.CAMELLO.- Original form of public transport in Havana.CAMIONETA.- van, light truck.CANA.- Prison.CAÑA.- Cuban peso (dame ~); (meter ~) to make love or to approach, to begin something.CANCHA.- Good person.CANDADO.- Beard style knob.CANDELA.- Fire. “Dar candela”: to set fire.CARAMELO.- Good caracter.CARATERRA - (Freeway) In Santiagero also means Easy & Promiscuious femaleCARMELINA.- Rich girl who don´t have to work.CARNE (EN ~).- Out of money.CASINO.- Salsa.CATAO.- Electrical switch.CATERVA.- Great plate of food.CAVILLA.- Sweeps fine of iron that is used in construction.CAYUCADA.- Brutality.CEBORUCO.- Very great stone; stupid person.CEDERISTA.- Member of the CDR.CERQUILLO.- Tuft of trimmed hair that is dropped on the forehead.CHABACANERIA.- Vulgarity.CHALANA.- Great foot, great shoe.CHAMA.- Young boy short form of Chamaco.CHANCE.- Opportunity.CHEO.- Heterosexual for gays.CHERNA.- Homosexual (also: Yegua, pato, bajito de sal).CHEVERE.- Good person.CHICHARRONES.- In slang it’s used to talk about submissive, servile types, that always praise the state, etc.CHIFLIDO.- To have diarrea.CHIVATEAR.- To inform to the authorities of illicit activities.CHIVO.- Bicycle.CHOCHA.- Feminine organ.CHOPIN.- Shop where you can buy only with CUC.CHUSMA.- Bad educated and scandalous person.COBA.- Clothes; (dar ~) speak much.COBIAO.- well dressed.COBIO.- Friend.COCOTAXI.- Motorcycle in form of tricycle with a yellow helmet, used as taxi for tourists.COCOTIMBA.- woman who don´t have hair, generally of black race.CODITOS.- It is paste in form of very short and curved tubitos. (Maccaroni)COJONES.- Balls, testicles. Used as an interjection denoting surprise, annoyance.COLADITO.- Cane brandy of azucar.COMECANDELA.- Communist.COMELONA.- Person who eats much.COMEMIERDA.- Idiot, stupidCOMMUNISMA - Failed Communism in SantiageroCOMPAY.- Friend, good guy.CONDUMIO.- Food.CONGRIS.- Cooked white rice with a sauce of black beans.CONSORTE.- Friend.CONTEO.- Count.CONUCO.- Hut.COÑO.- Cunt. Equivalent to the American fucken eh Normal Cuban expression but can be very offensive to non Cuban latinosCOPIA - ie Mi Copia “do you understand ?”CORTADO.- Stinking.CORTAO.- Stinking, it is used mainly for badly smell of sweat.CRECHE.- Scholarship.CREYÓN.- Labial pencil (of the French crayon).CRICA.- Vagina. specifically clitorisCUADRA.- The block is a section of street measured from corner to corner.CUADRADO.- Extremist.CUATROPUERTAS.- Trouser with great pockets to the sides of the knee.CUCARACHA.- Cockroach.CUENTOS.- Jokes.CULONA - Female who’s biggest physical attribute is her bootyCULITA - Same as CULONA but reverseLILLO.- Impatience.CUMBANCHA.- Party.CURRALO.- Work.CURDA.- Drunkard.CUTARA.- Slipper, only in the Eastern provinces.

DDAR CUERO.- To make fun about somebody.DESCARGA.- Meeting between friends with music and songs.DESGREÑADA.- Neglecting, messed up hair, without fixing.DESMAYAR.- Not to pay attention to somebody or something, to despise.DESPELOTE.- Disorder, confusion.DESPINGAR.- To break, to destroy something.DESPLAYARSE.- To loose control.DIVISA.- Foreighn currency.DURO.- Avaricious.

EEMBALADO.- Nervous, shaken, under the drug effects.EMBULLAR.- To animate.ENTOLLAR.- To introduce something until the end.ENVOLVENCIA.- Confusion.ESCACHAO.- Someone with economic problems.ESCAPARATE.- Locker.ESPEJUELOS.- Glasses.ESTILLA.- Money.ESTRAYARSE.- To crash.

FFA.- Detergent.FAJARSE.- To fight.FANA.- Obscene Word. Sexual segregation. also uselessFAÑOSO.- Voice sounds nasal. offensive disgustingFEDERICO O FEDERICA.- Ugly person.FEONA - Very Ugly Girl (Cola Loca Term. Stgo)FIANA.- The police car.FIÑES.- Children.FILTRO.- Intelligent person.FLEJE.- Skinny person.FLETE.- Prostitution.FLOJO - Slow, weakFONDILLO DE MUJER.- Ass.FONGO.- It is a special type of banana.FORRAO.- Sheltered or with much money.FOSFORERA.- Lighter.FREGAR.- To wash plates, is only used in this case.FRIA.- Beer.FRIO.- The refrigerator.FRUTABOMBA.- Papaya.FUACATA.- Something that does not serve, can the same be a situation, a thing or a person.FUETAZO.- To give a blow somebody.FULA.- U.S. Dollar. also used as insult like foolish or stupidFUNDIDO.- Crazy.

GGALLETA.- Slap by the face with the open hand.GANSO.- Homosexual.GAO .- House.GENTUZA.- Bad person.GETA.- Face.GIL.- Stupid. idiot.GLOBERO.- Person who lies.GLOBO.- Lie.GOMA.- Tire, rim.GRAJO.- Badly scent of the armpits.GRILLO.- Prostitute, a cheap one.GUACARA CON GUACARA.- Lesbians.GUACHO.- Farmer.GUACHIPUPA.- Refreshment without gas of homemade preparation.GUAGUA.- Bus.GUAGUANCÓ.- Typical dance.GUAGÜERO.- Driver of guagua.GUAJIRO.- Farmer, provincial.GUANAJO (a).- Stupid.GUANAQUIQUI.- Person with much money (”gunao”).GUAPO.- Problamtic person, who does not understand with anybody, like to fight.GUARACHAR.- To make party, go to dance.GUARAPITO.- Police, the level more under the police. The uniforms are green olive.GUARICANDILLA.- Prostitute.GUAROSO.- Popular.GUAYABA.- Lie.GUBARRÓN.- Bisexual man.GUINEO.- Banana fruit.GÜIRO.- Celebration; head.GUSANO.- Dissident.

JJAIBA.- Great mouth.JALAO.- Drunkard.JAMAR.- To eat.JAVAO.- A black and white mestization where the skin is clear and the hair tends not to be so straight. It is a variant between mulato and white.JETA.- Face.JEVA .- Girlfriend or young women.JICOTEA.- Turtle.JINETERA.- Similar to prostitute, yet different seeks opportunistic relations to meet ones needs, mainly with tourists or foreignersJODEDOR.- Very glad man. Also it is applied to the women.JODER.- To bother.JUGO.- Juice.

KKIKIRIQUI.- Person who like to fight.KILLER - anyone who is Crazy at what they do best from Rapping to Fighting to JinetandoKILO.- Cent.KIOSKO.- Where something is sold.

MMAJÁ.- Snake.MAJASEANDO.- To walk with vague.MALA HOJA.- Man or woman who is not good to make the love. Opposite: Buena hoja.MAMI.- Woman.MAMIRRIQUI.- Wonderful women.MAMONCITOS.- Small fruit with hard skin.MAMOTRETO.- Great or heavy great thing.MANEJAR.- Drive a car.MASETERO.- Person with money.MATAVACAS.- Great knife.MATE.- Long, very long kiss. It is also caresses, kisses and contacts in erotic zones, and, in short, a set of games that only excludes the penetration.MÁQUINA.- Car.MECHANICA - Mechanics of a plan, hustle or influenceMECA - Santiagero Modified version of MechanicaMETUSALÉN.- Old man.MEDIAS.- Socks.MEDIO TRONCO.- 50 pesos.MEN.- Friend.MEROLICO.- Craftsman who sells his products.MICKY - Micky Mouse Santiagero tacky, lacking quality or substanceMOJONERA.- Not util.MOLOTO.- Disordered group of people.MOMENTICO.- In a while.MONI.- Money.MONINA.- Brother, also a very good friend.MONJA.- Five pesos.MONO.- Ugly or pretty.MONONA.- Very nice, pretty.MOROPO.- Head.MUELA (DAR~).- Conversacion that never finish.MUÑEQUITOS.- Cartoons.MUSICAL (ESTO ES~).- Without importance.

OOBSTINACIÓN.- Boredom.OBSTINANTE.- Tired of something, very boring.ORIENTALES.- Persons from the eastern provinces.OVEJA.- Lamb.

PPÁJARO.- Homosexual.PALADAR.- Private restaurant.PALESTINO.- Person of the Eastern provinces.PALO.- Drink of rum.PANTALETA.- Panties.PAPAYA.- Vagina.PAPI.- Man.PAPIAR.- To eat.PAPIRRIQUI.- Affectionate expression towards the man.PARADERO.- Garage, place where the line buses are parked when they are out of service.PARLÉ.- It is a bet in a lottery.PARQUEAR.- To park.PARQUE.- Parking.PARTIDO.- Homosexual; (Estar ~) to be hungry.PASAS.- Hair of black people.PASMADO.- Out of money.PAMAO - Broke No MoneyPASMAR.- To interrupt two people who fall in love or have sex in private.PASTA.- Money.PASTILLA (ES MI ~).- sexual attractive person.PATATÚ.- One became ill suddenly.PATENTE.- Payment of special tax to the government.PATO.- Homosexual.PATÓN.- He can´t dance.PAVA.- Homosexual.PEGA.- Work.PELARLA.- Boring someone.PELEAR.- To fight, to discuss.PELO PASA.- Bad hair: Pelo Malo.PELO CHINO.- Straight hair: Pelo Bueno.PENCO.- Cowardly.PEPILLA.- Young woman who dresses in fashion.PERCHA.- Clothes.PERFILO.- Knife.PERILLA.- Clitoris.PEROL.- Car.PERRO.- (Adj.) good, great.PERSEGUIDORA.- Patrol.PESCADO.- Ten pesos.PESCAO (METER ~).- muy bien.PESTILLO.- Prostitute, “jinetera”.PETARDO.- Cheap prostitute.PETER.- tablet of chocolate.PICO.- Masculine sexual organ.PICUA.- Speak ironic.PIE (METER ~).- amounted to.PILA.- Faucet; (una ~ de) very many.PINCHA.- Work.PINCHO.- High civil employee of the government.PINGA.- Masculine sexual organ, penis.PIÑAZO.- Hit with the closed hand.PIRARSE.- To go away.PISTEAR.- To take a walk.PITÉN.- Game of baseboll in the street.PITUSA.- Jeans.PLUMÓN.- Labeller.POMO.- Plastic bottle.POPIS.- Sport shoes.PRAJO.- Cigarette.PRIETO.- Black.PULLA.- Shoe of woman with very pointed heel.PULOVER.- T-shirt. (the “camiseta” is the underclothes without sleeves, the outer t-shirt is called “pulover”)PUNTO.- Wild person, person of immoral or innobles conducts; “pestillo”.PURA .- Mother.PURO .- Father.

RRABO.- Masculine sexual organ.RASTRA.- Great truck with tows, “vikingo”.RASTATUTE - Rastafarian in appearance, Jinetero/Pinguero in motivationRASTATUTION - Sex tourism for White European women who like Bob MarleyRECABUCHAR.- To watch at somebody naked without permission, generally by a hollow.REGADO.- Disordered.REGUERO.- Disorden in the house.RELAJO.- Disorden.RIPIAR.- To destroy (someone).RIPIARSE.- To enjoy dancing; to fight.RUFA.- Bus.RUMBA.- Party.

SSALACIÓN.- Bad luck.SALVAVIDAS.- Eggs.SALSA - (form of Music/Dance) In Santiagero also can be same as Mechanica & or SingarSAPIAR.- To interrupt a pair.SATA.- A woman who like to have many contacts to men at parties but without relacions; not a prostitute.SAYA.- Skirt.SAYUELA.- Underclothes of woman.SANIAGHETTO - Santiago de CubaSENTADERAS.- Rumps.SINGAR.- To make love, sexual act.SINGAO.- Very bad.SINGUILLA.- Impertinent.SOCIO.- Friend.SOLAR.- Building with many “casas”.SOPLAO.- Good, flavorful.SUBURSIO.- Heart attack.

TTACO.- Intelligent.TACOS.- Shoes.TACHO.- Hair of the head.TALLAR.- To fall in love.TALLE.- Words that you say when you fall in love with somebody.TARROS.- Adultery, horns.TEMBANA.- Woman of mature age. More than forty years.TEMPLAR.- Synonymous of “singar”.TIMBIRICHE.- “kiosko”.TIMÓN.- Steering wheel.TITIMANIA.- Old man who like young women.TENIS.- Sport shoes.TIN.- A bit.TIÑOSA.- Bad augury; problem.TIRARSE.- To make (a photo).TOCAO.- good people, pretty.TOLETE.- Penis, brutal.TOMAR LUCHA.- To worry too much.TORTILLERA.- Lesbian.TOSTONES.- “Platanos” (sort of banana) green fried, squashed and returned to refreir.TOTA.- Vagina.TRAPOS.- New and pretty clothes.TRIGUEÑO(A).- People with straight dark hair.TROMPON.- Hit with the closed hand.TRONAR.- To punish, to expel.TRONCO DE JEVA.- Girl with nice body.TROZAO.- Hungry.TRUSA.- Bikini.TUNTURUNTÚ.- That one goes away, it disappears.TUPAMAROS.- Cigarettes of homemade preparation using paper of plans or newspapers.TURCA.- Lie.

VVALDE.- Bucket in the Eastern zone of Cuba.VALDIAR.- To clean the floor with much water.VEJIGO.- Boy.VENAO.- Prostitute. (”jinetera”)VENIRSE.- To run, to ejaculate, to have orgasmo.VENTANA.-$20.00 PesosVERRACO.- To be an idiot.VIANDA.- Food that accompanies the strong plate. (Banana, sweet potato, malanga, ñame, yucca)VIGUETA.- Bad.VIKINGO.- Great truck with tows.VITITI (DARSE ~).- proudly demonstrate new things f.e. to the neighbors.VOLÁ.- “Qué volá…” (What happened?)VOLAO (ESTAR ~).- to have plague, to have a hard penis.VUELTO.- The change, What they give back to you when you didn´t give the exact amount.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Icarus' father, Daedalus, a talented craftsman, attempted to escape from his exile in Crete, where he and his son were imprisoned at the hands of King Minos, the king for whom he had built the Labyrinth to imprison the Minotaur. Daedalus, the master craftsman, was exiled because he gave Minos' Daughter, Ariadne, a clew of string in order to help Theseus survive the Labyrinth.

Daedalus fashioned a pair of wings of wax and feathers for himself and his son. Before they took off from the island, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, nor too close to the lake. Overcome by the giddiness that flying lent him, Icarus soared through the sky curiously, but in the process he came too close to the sun, which burned his wings. Icarus kept flapping his wings but soon realized that he had no feathers left and that he was only flapping his bare arms. And so, Icarus fell into the sea in the area which bears his name, the Icarian Sea near Icaria, an island southwest of Samos.

Hellenistic writers who provided philosophical underpinnings to the myth also preferred more realistic variants, in which the escape from Crete was actually by boat, provided by Pasiphaë, for which Daedalus invented the first sails, to outstrip Minos' pursuing galleys, and that Icarus fell overboard en route to Sicily and drowned. Heracles erected a tomb for him.